Dennis Bowers was a guitarist and singer for 31 of his 51 years, teaching his son to play lead and rhythm guitar in the Legendary Singing Stars traveling gospel group. The night he died last August, Dennis Bowers taught his son to live up to his true talent.

The Clemson end was coming off two disappointing seasons. When his father suddenly fell ill, Bowers left training camp to be at his hospital bedside. Father and son talked into the night before a second seizure claimed the elder Bowers' life.

"That last night I was able to spend with my father was the most important night in my life," Bowers said. "He knew he was on his dying bed. He said he knew I had the tools and mindset to be one of the best players to ever play at Clemson. And I could be one of the best players to ever go to the NFL.

"His said: 'Challenge yourself this year to be one of the best players. And put your name in the draft.' "

Within a nine-month span, Bowers lost his father; his mentor and former Clemson and NFL defensive end Gaines Adams to cardiac arrest and his high school advisor, Eric Bamberg. Bowers honored their memories by leading the nation in sacks.

The 6-4, 280-pound end dropped 25 pounds and earned the Bronko Nagurski Award and Ted Hendricks Award as college football's top defensive player and the best defensive end, respectively.

Now Bowers must prove himself again.

Once considered in the mix for the first overall pick, Bowers is fighting to remain a top 10 pick after his April 1 pro day raised concerns following January surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee.

"He's a great kid, great prospect," Dominik said. "Everybody's trying to make sure where they have him on the board, what's the right spot for him.

"At the end of the day, the guy is a dominating football player who did a great job this year."

Teams must do their homework on the risk/reward ratio.

"Da'Quan's a fine individual with a lot of talent to be a legitimate top tier pick," Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "That said, a lot of teams are really drilling down on the concerns they may have. They just need clarity on Da'Quan's health."

Some clubs worry the knee shows potential for arthritis.

"His knee is enough a concern that it will scare some teams off," NFLDraftScout.com analyst Rob Rang said. "I talked to a club picking in the bottom third of the first round that said his knee is bad enough they red flagged it. It's conversation they'd have to have if he were to slip to the later first round."

Whenever he is selected, Bowers won't be in New York to walk across Radio City Music Hall's stage. He'll celebrate with family and friends back in Bamberg, S.C.

"Quan said it meant more to be home with his family because his grandparents are older and can't travel," Bowers' mother Linda said.

"We had some shirts made with Da'Quan's and his dad's picture together. And on the back, 'Fulfilling the father's dream. Congratulations, Da'Quan on a job well done!' "

Teams in need at defensive end:

Buffalo Bills: The league's worst run defense needs to get stronger at the point of attack in order to reduce double- and triple-team blocking pressure on tenacious defensive tackle Kyle Williams. Buffalo's 27 sacks tied for third-worst in 2010 and the Bills need a stout end in their 3-4 scheme to set the edge and allow their linebackers to run and hit.

Cleveland Browns: With new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron looking to implement a 4-3 scheme, the Browns are in dire need of an infusion of youth at defensive end. Kenyon Coleman is 32 and Robaire Smith is coming off a back injury that may force him to retire. Further, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers is gone to New Orleans, creating a glaring need for more front-line, pass-rush help in an AFC North division featuring quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco.

Dallas Cowboys: Big D's defense was strictly lower case last season, hemorrhaging 27.2 points per game, ranking next-to-last in the league behind the Denver Broncos. The Cowboys have a need for a 3-4 defensive end, which would make Cameron Jordan of California and Wisconsin's J.J. Watt ideal fits. Both are considered "five-technique" ends who have the athleticism and strength to hold up against the run. They would be good fits with Igor Olshansky not playing up to expectation and former starter Marcus Spears considered on his way out whenever free agency returns.

Minnesota Vikings: "The Williams Wall" is beginning to crumble. Defensive ends Ray Edwards and Brian Robinson are free-agent bound. And 14th-year defensive tackle Pat Williams is 38. Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers is a power end, stout against the run who would fit the Vikings' glaring need for a bookend to complement Jared Allen. The defense rang up 31 sacks, tying for 20th in 2010. Minnesota's front four needs to get younger and tougher since new coach Leslie Frazier's Tampa 2 scheme is predicated on generating a front-line pass rush.

• Scouting report: The most versatile defensive end in this class with 10½ sacks his junior and senior seasons. Jordan grew up around the game as his father, Steve was a six-time Pro Bowl tight end. "I don't know about upholding the family name, I'd like to advance it," the younger Jordan said. A high-effort player, Jordan is a mature team leader who started 32 of 50 games at Cal.

• Insider's take: "He's got some natural pass rush to him, a little more than J.J. Watt (Wisconsin), who is probably a little more stout against the run, where Jordan can probably naturally get to the quarterback better." —NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock

• Projected round: First

Robert Quinn, North Carolina

• Height: 6-4. Weight: 265

• Scouting report: Among the most explosive pass rushers in this draft, Quinn had 11 sacks in 2009. He has a linebacker's burst and rare flexibility to dip under tackles with the coveted upside to become a double-digit sacker. But he comes with concerns: Quinn was suspended for the 2010 season after an NCAA investigation found that he accepted impermissible gifts, including jewlery. Further, Quinn brings an element of uncharted medical concern considering doctors removed a benign brain tumor during his senior year in high school that requires MRI monitoring every six months.

• Insider's take: "Robert Quinn is as good a natural pass rusher as I've ever seen. Some of the 3-4 teams might want to see him stand up because he's unbelievable coming off the edge." —Mayock

• Scouting report: A walk-on at Wisconsin, Watt blossomed into a 3-4 defensive end who can jolt and shed blockers with a strong hand punch, enabling him to prevent running backs from turning the corner. He is more quick and strong than explosive and a hard worker with the versatility to play anywhere along the line.

• Insider's take: "I'm very impressed with J.J. Watt. He can play inside or out. He's a monster and he could be sitting there when San Diego picks 18th, although I think he'll be gone." —Mayock

• Scouting report: Smith is still raw and growing into his body. But he has the long, strong frame and rare size-speed combination to grow into a a top-notch pass rusher in the mold of Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler John Abraham. He is viewed as a three-down defensive end with the wingspan to jump into passing lanes and bat down passes as an occasional third-down inside rusher.

• Insider's take: "Aldon Smith is best suited to play in the 4-3. And if you really study him, interestingly enough, a good majority of his pass-rush production comes when they moved him inside ... to get offensive guards off balance and then get to the quarterback." —ESPN analyst Todd McShay

• Scouting report: Kerrigan's teammates and coaches nicknamed him, "Superman" for his strength and relentless motor as a pass rusher with 33½ career sacks and a Big Ten record 14 forced fumbles. More apt to wear tackles down with hustle, leverage and endurance than to fly by them. Has the versatility to project as either a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker.

• Insider's take: "His strength is getting up the field, getting after the quarterback and playing every down like it's the last down of his life. He reminds me a lot of (St. Louis Rams defensive end) Chris Long." —McShay

• Projected round: First

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